Page 148 of The Obvious Check

“Look, I'm all for you playing the hero and impressing your girl, but you've got her now.” Henry's voice carries that reasonable tone that makes me want to punch something. “You can just leave Covey U and go to the Anglerfish early. You don'tneedto stay.”

“I do,” I grit out, looking over at Dash, and then my thoughts drift to Madison. If I walk away now, leave this thing bleeding and unfinished, there’s no telling how far Luke’ll take this. He already warned me he’ll come for the ones who matter. My sister. My team. Every last person I’d bleed for, and I can’t keep them all safe.

This ends tonight. It has to.

Henry parks, and we all stare at the bright pink neon sign flashing like it's some rinky-dink dive bar that nobody visits anymore. That's the view from the front, at least. The back entrance will have people lined up around the block, waiting for the first Saturday night of the month.

Fight Night.

And I'm the main fucking attraction.

“Come on, let's get this over with.”

Henry's the first to reach for his door handle when Dash's hand shoots out, grabbing his arm. “You're staying in here, Rookie.”

Henry whips his head around, mouth falling open in shock. “What?”

“You're staying out here in case we need a fast exit,” I say.

He looks between me and Dash, disbelief written all over his face. “You're kidding, right? You drag me all the way out here just to make me sit in the car like some fucking chauffeur?”

We both nod without hesitation.

“But I was here last time and helped Cade out. You could use me in there.”

For all of Henry's faults, and hell, there are a lot of them, he's not a bad kid. But that's exactly what he is. A kid. He doesn't need to be involved in this takedown, doesn't need Luke's attention turning his way when this all goes sideways.

“Henry.” I lean forward, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “As much as I appreciated your efforts last time, if I have to pick between you and Dash as backup in there, it's always going to be Dash.”

Henry's mouth snaps shut. He gets it. Dash's height alone makes him the most unintentionally intimidating man people have ever laid eyes on. Plus, we've got a plan. One that involves Dash keeping watch for someone who might be willing to help us plant that USB while I distract everyone.

Savannah pushes her door open, and the sound cuts through the tension.

“Wait, she's going too?”

“Of course. She's my wife.”

“That's exactly why she shouldn't be going.”

“I'm going, Henry.” Savannah's voice carries enough sass to make my chest tighten with pride and arousal in equal measure. “Suck it up and wait out here.”

Henry grumbles, letting his head fall back against the seat in resignation. “Fine. But if you all get yourselves killed, don't expect me to explain it to Madison.”

After shutting the door, I race around the car and take Savannah's hand, her fingers immediately lacing through mine like they belong there. Dash falls into step beside us as we approach the club.

This is it. The endgame.

The last fight.

The last time I'll have to step foot in this godforsaken place.

The last time Savannah's going to live in fear of the monster behind these walls.

“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Dash asks as we make our way toward the entrance, his voice low and serious.

I nod, squeezing Savannah's hand a little tighter. Dash goes quiet for a moment, and I can feel his disapproval radiating off him in waves. But the fact that he's here, supporting me despite thinking I've lost my damn mind, means more to me than anything else could.

“I'm happy for the two of you,” he says finally, his voice softer than usual. “You're creating something beautiful.”

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